December 2012 Blog Posts (33)

In between the rains! Last Wednesday I couldn’t get my lesson because it was raining. I was disappointed of course, but since we really need the rain it was so nice to get 1.3”, it sort of made up for not riding. A week ago we were over 10” short for the year so any and all rain is welcome even if it does interfere with my riding.

I got my lesson on Mick on Friday. Debbie brought Mick to the wash stall and showed me how to take off his turn-out blanket since I…

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend and getting excited for the upcoming new year in just a few more days! :) This week, the Baker's blog is going to be based on the importance of grooming and why it is necessary to give your horse a good thorough grooming before and after riding. At Baker's, we have a great selection of grooming products to keep your horse looking fancy and healthy, and we will mention…

No horse is perfect. Every one of them has a chink in their armor. You can work with them and improve them, but deep down, it never goes away. Starry D just hates bugs. Cruiser hates motorcycles. Ranger can’t deal with rain on the roof. (He’s the biggest sissy of them all.)

Cole Train is afraid of horses. He has been like this since I got him. I remember the first few weeks when I had a horrible time getting him to walk through one of the doors in… Continue

Reinforcing a behaviour is something a trainer does to make the response more likely to happen again. When a builder reinforces a bridge or structure, he’s making it stronger. And that’s what I want to do each time gets the right answer.

A primary reinforcer is giving the horse something he naturally likes with each correct response, such…

I hope everyone is ready and excited for Christmas eve tomorrow, and Christmas on Tuesday! :) Can't believe its already here! Baker's has an exciting announcement for everyone; we are now carrying the Point Two Air Jackets!! This week's blog is going to be based on this air vest, its safety characteristics and the benefits of wearing an air vest. Before getting started, here is the link for the Point Two Air Jacket for you to observe. …

When I woke up this morning it was at my cut off point--24-25° F, luckily I did not have to get to the stable until 10:00 AM when it was above freezing. I was fine this morning until I started to get my homemade bit warmer ready, then I stubbed my left little toe hard. PAIN. I hurriedly put Arnica cream on it and put my paddock boot on in case it decided to swell up. Hobbling piteously I finished with my homemade bit warmer (old washrag, soak…

I usually consider myself to be a relatively cool headed human being, able to consider and argue without much volatility, but when I hear people debating as to whether dressage should be in the Olympics, I feel the need to hop around and screech like a Borneo ape. All arguments fly from my brain and I am left with me just baring my teeth and throwing around objects in the room. …

Two weeks ago I gave my 42 year old Stubben Siegfried its yearly deep larding. When I got to the girth billet straps it became clear to me that I have to make some decisions, however much the horses prefer my Stubben Siegfried it is no longer safe for me to ride in as the front left billet strap could split all the way down the center without warning. GRUMBLE, I have been avoiding this decision for a year, hoping things would last long enough so I could save up for a…

I hope everyone is getting super pumped for Christmas, it's in less than two weeks!! :) To continue from one of our previous blogs, this week will be another blog based on some Christmas gift ideas for all your equine friends and family. At Baker's, we have a variety of gift ideas ranging in a variety of price marks so you can find something perfect and affordable for your Christmas shopping. Posted below will be another top 5 Christmas gift ideas for you from…

Last night, towards the end of my ride with Cole, the new boarder came out. Her husband started leading her horse around the arena. It was the first time I saw him out of the stall. He looked like a Thoroughbred and walked like a gentleman.

I thought I would explain what I was doing with the clicks and treats that they saw me doing with Cole. I gave her a brief explanation, dismounted and told Cole to do his Cole walk. it is something he…

As many of you may know the Equestrian Social Media Award nominations for 2013 have opened today. We’re happy to announce, that after making the 2012 Top 10 Finalist list for Best Equestrian Social Network, we’ll be running again in this category!

Most of you who know me understand that children are not a part of my day to day life. As a whole children orbit me with the same frequency and comfort of a urinary tract infection. That being said it appears that I am not wholly immune to their charms for today a little girl twisted my grizzled old features into a semblance of a smile. Perhaps the day that I have long been forewarned is truly imminent and I will open my curtains, stare out into the morning sunlight and want a…

Just as dogs are to wolves, these horses became something other than their more docile equine brethren. The laws of the herd ruled and when I entered their enclosure morning and night, I entered their world, bending to their laws while attempting to jog some flicker of recognition in them that I am, in fact, human … you know, one of those creatures you are supposed to respect? Right?…